Rock band Queen are not happy with US presidential hopeful Donald Trump’s “unauthorised use” of one of their songs during the Republic National Convention.
Their hit We Are The Champions was used to introduce Trump on stage to cheering crowds at the convention in Cleveland, Ohio.
Brian May (Felipe Dana/AP)
The band said on Twitter that it was “against our wishes” for the song to be used.
The song was played again when Trump’s wife Melania stepped on stage to give a speech, which was later mired in controversy over claims that parts of it were plagiarised from Michelle Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2008.
An unauthorised use at the Republican Convention against our wishes – Queen
— Queen (@QueenWillRock) July 19, 2016
Queen are among a line-up of top-selling music stars who want to be off Trump’s campaign playlist.
Adele’s hits Rolling In The Deep and Skyfall were played at Trump’s political rallies earlier this year, prompting her spokesman to point out she had not given permission for her music to be used for any political campaigning.
Lawyers for Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler have sent a cease and desist letter to Trump’s campaign committee, which said Trump did “not have our client’s permission to use Dream On” or any of Tyler’s other songs and that it “gives the false impression that he is connected with, or endorses, Mr Trump’s presidential bid”, according to reports.
Melania Trump was criticised for a speech that had similarities with Michelle Obama’s 2008 address (Carolyn Kaster/AP)
REM frontman Michael Stipe was furious after the band’s song It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) was played at a rally.
In an interview in September, he said: “Do not use our music or my voice for your moronic charade of a campaign.”
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